Mehr News Agency, Iran
March 8 2004

Tehran Municipality Buys War Photos

TEHRAN March 8 (Mehr News Agency) — In an unprecedented move the Art
and Cultural Organization of Tehran Municipality purchased the photos
taken by Iranian photographer Reza Borji at a cost of Rls2b during
the opening ceremony held on Sunday evening for his exhibition in
Paidari Cultural Center at Behesht Gallery.
About 15,000 photos, taken from the contemporary wars in Iraq,
Bosnia, Afghanistan, Karabakh, and Ghana were submitted to the head
of the cultural center Seyyed Yasser Hashtrudi.

Borji had received many bids from abroad offering higher price for
the works.

`I preferred my works to remain in my country. so I refrained from
selling them to foreigners,’ said Borji.

Borji took many outstanding photos from the Iraqi imposed war against
Iran during the years 1980-1988. He has been hospitalized owing to
injuries caused by the chemical weapons in this war.

In order to train young photographers, the organization plans to
establish a venue dubbed `Tasvir-e No Foundation’ (New Picture
Foundation) for Reza Borji.

`I hope the organization will soon establish the foundation for Borji
where he can impart his experiences to young photographers,’ said
Hashtrudi.

The exhibition, which is underway at Behesht Gallery, will continue
until March 16th.